My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at the cake

cake is so

a ‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake

some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake, what should we

a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss

the ‘Happy Birthday’

close her

Rachel must blow

shook her head to indicate to Julian that there was no

and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

make a wish on your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud,

she lowered her head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even

under the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she

to say thank you!” their

paper plates, the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and the whole scene was

smiled for the first time in days. Thank you,

her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about anything else.

about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed

the child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm

turned and

she was inside her apartment and about to close the

loud slam, the door was propped open by a

her, his darkened face made all the more

on

the house and shut the door before surveying

you’ve been getting along

she took two steps

her as he pulled off his necktie and threw it onto

“I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days,

step he approached her, forcing

Rachel had no idea what she did

pulled, she staggered after him